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    eXistenZ

    • 19991999
    • RR
    • 1h 37min
    IMDb RATING
    6.8/10
    95K
    YOUR RATING
    POPULARITY
    4,561
    65
    • Cast & crew
    • User reviews
    • Trivia
    • IMDbPro
    Jude Law and Jennifer Jason Leigh in eXistenZ (1999)
    Trailer for eXistenZ
    Trailer2:01
    1 Video
    99+ Photos
    HorrorSci-FiThriller

    A game designer on the run from assassins must play her latest virtual reality creation with a marketing trainee to determine if the game has been damaged.A game designer on the run from assassins must play her latest virtual reality creation with a marketing trainee to determine if the game has been damaged.A game designer on the run from assassins must play her latest virtual reality creation with a marketing trainee to determine if the game has been damaged.A game designer on the run from assassins must play her latest virtual reality creation with a marketing trainee to determine if the game has been damaged.A game designer on the run from assassins must play her latest virtual reality creation with a marketing trainee to determine if the game has been damaged.

    • Director
      • David Cronenberg
    • Writer
      • David Cronenberg
    • Stars
      • Jude Law
      • Jennifer Jason Leigh
      • Ian Holm
    Top credits
    • Director
      • David Cronenberg
    • Writer
      • David Cronenberg
    • Stars
      • Jude Law
      • Jennifer Jason Leigh
      • Ian Holm
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 562User reviews
    • 200Critic reviews
    • 68Metascore
  • See production, box office & company info
    • Awards
      • 3 wins & 14 nominations

    Videos1

    eXistenZ
    Trailer 2:01
    eXistenZ

    Photos140

    Jude Law and Jennifer Jason Leigh in eXistenZ (1999)
    Jude Law and Jennifer Jason Leigh in eXistenZ (1999)
    Jude Law and Jennifer Jason Leigh in eXistenZ (1999)
    Jude Law in eXistenZ (1999)
    Jude Law and Jennifer Jason Leigh in eXistenZ (1999)
    Jude Law and Jennifer Jason Leigh in eXistenZ (1999)
    Jude Law and Jennifer Jason Leigh in eXistenZ (1999)
    Jude Law and Jennifer Jason Leigh in eXistenZ (1999)
    Jennifer Jason Leigh in eXistenZ (1999)
    Jude Law in eXistenZ (1999)
    Jennifer Jason Leigh in eXistenZ (1999)
    Jude Law in eXistenZ (1999)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Jude Law
    Jude Law
    • Ted Pikulas Ted Pikul
    Jennifer Jason Leigh
    Jennifer Jason Leigh
    • Allegra Gelleras Allegra Geller
    Ian Holm
    Ian Holm
    • Kiri Vinokuras Kiri Vinokur
    Willem Dafoe
    Willem Dafoe
    • Gasas Gas
    Don McKellar
    Don McKellar
    • Yevgeny Nourishas Yevgeny Nourish
    Callum Keith Rennie
    Callum Keith Rennie
    • Hugo Carlawas Hugo Carlaw
    Christopher Eccleston
    Christopher Eccleston
    • Seminar Leaderas Seminar Leader
    Sarah Polley
    Sarah Polley
    • Merleas Merle
    Robert A. Silverman
    Robert A. Silverman
    • D'Arcy Naderas D'Arcy Nader
    Oscar Hsu
    Oscar Hsu
    • Chinese Waiteras Chinese Waiter
    Kris Lemche
    Kris Lemche
    • Noel Dichteras Noel Dichter
    Vik Sahay
    Vik Sahay
    • Male Assistantas Male Assistant
    Kirsten Johnson
    Kirsten Johnson
    • Female Assistantas Female Assistant
    James Kirchner
    • Landryas Landry
    Balázs Koós
    • Male Volunteeras Male Volunteer
    Stephanie Belding
    Stephanie Belding
    • Female Volunteeras Female Volunteer
    Gerry Quigley
    • Trout Farm Workeras Trout Farm Worker
    • Director
      • David Cronenberg
    • Writer
      • David Cronenberg
    • All cast & crew
    See production, box office, & company info

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    Storyline

    Edit
    Allegra Geller, the leading game designer in the world, is testing her new virtual reality game, eXistenZ with a focus group. As they begin, she is attacked by a fanatic assassin employing a bizarre organic gun. She flees with a young marketing trainee, Ted Pikul, who is suddenly assigned as her bodyguard. Unfortunately, her pod, an organic gaming device that contains the only copy of the eXistenZ game program, is damaged. To inspect it, she talks Ted into accepting a gameport in his own body so he can play the game with her. The events leading up to this, and the resulting game lead the pair on a strange adventure where reality and their actions are impossible to determine from either their own or the game's perspective. —Kenneth Chisholm <kchishol@execulink.com>
    gamealternate realitygame designerbody horrorparallel world160 more
    • Plot summary
    • Plot synopsis
    • Taglines
      • Play it. Live it. Kill for it.
    • Genres
      • Horror
      • Sci-Fi
      • Thriller
    • Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)
      • Rated R for strong sci-fi violence and gore, and for language
    • Parents guide

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Jennifer Jason Leigh had already finished shooting her role in Eyes Wide Shut (1999) when she took on this role. When her scenes in that movie required re-shooting, the schedule required for it interfered with this one. Leigh chose to stay on this movie, and her role in Eyes Wide Shut (1999) was re-cast.
    • Goofs
      When Pikul is extracting the tooth from Allegra's shoulder, the sleeve of her top is rolled down. In the next shot after it comes out, her shoulder is covered again, but Pikul's hand resting on it hasn't moved. (There are deliberate costume discontinuities in this movie, when the characters shift in and out of eXistenZ, but this isn't one of them.)
    • Quotes

      [last lines]

      Chinese Waiter: Hey, tell me the truth... are we still in the game?

    • Connections
      Edited into The History of the Hands (2016)

    User reviews562

    Review
    Top review
    Get ready for one wild ride!
    By far the most bizarre and inventive films from David Cronenberg, and a film that is sure to become a cult classic. The story cannot easily be summarized in a small review without spoiling the movie completely, so you'll have to see it for yourself.

    The special effects are well done, but thankfully not overdone. The film relies mainly on the chemistry between Jennifer Jason Leigh and Jude Law, who plug in and out of the game throughout the movie, and what is actually the real world become less clear as the movie goes on. The violence and carnage, which Cronenberg has become famous for, certainly catches you off guard at times. In fact, some scenes will send a shiver up your spine. The acting is superb, with Jennifer Jason Leigh playing a convincing hero, while Jude Law is excellent as the uneasy, often unwilling participant in her mind-boggling game. Willem Dafoe is, as always, a treat to watch as the mysterious, intimidating, and off-the-wall characters he is so good at playing.

    eXistenZ is the most unusual Cronenberg film to date, and that is saying something when comparing to his earlier movies like Shivers, Scanners, and Videodrome. It has a great script, great direction, and the idea behind the film is pure gold. Cronenberg is definitely one of the most daring and original directors of our time.
    helpful•60
    22
    • Delerium
    • Apr 25, 1999

    FAQ1

    • Why have I never even heard of this film, much less seen it until today - March 21 2021?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • April 23, 1999 (United States)
    • Countries of origin
      • United Kingdom
      • France
      • Canada
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Existenz
    • Filming locations
      • Rockwood Conservation Area, Ontario, Canada
    • Production companies
      • Dimension Films
      • Alliance Atlantis Communications
      • Canadian Television Fund
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $15,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $2,856,712
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $810,262
      • Apr 25, 1999
    • Gross worldwide
      • $2,856,712
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 37min
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital

    Related news

    Brandon Cronenberg to Adapt J.G. Ballard Novel Super-Cannes as Limited Series
    May 20The Film Stage
    Rushes: Paul Verhoeven's "Benedetta," David Cronenberg Returns, Senses of Cinema
    Rushes: Paul Verhoeven's "Benedetta," David Cronenberg Returns, Senses of Cinema
    May 5MUBI

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